Invergordon Seedlings group set to transform wasteland into community garden
GROWING community spirit in an Easter Ross town is paving the way for the transformation of a wasteland into a beautiful garden space residents can enjoy.
A group of residents in the Fraser Road, Macdonald Road, Rosskeen Drive and Mains Avenue area of Invergordon are rolling up their sleeves to get the job done.
And what they've achieved in a matter of days has stunned locals as momentum builds amid calls for help and donations.
One of those involved with The Seedlings Community Garden, Dana Sutherland, said there's a desire to transform the wasteland at the heart of a green area into a beautiful space with benches, barked paths ,planters for flowers and a reading nook. A bug hotel is also planned.
A bid for assistance from Highland Council and Albyn Housing has been made.
Meanwhile residents have got stuck in.
Cromarty Firth ward councillor Maxine Smith said: "I have been stunned to see the work the new Seedlings group has done and they only started a week ago! I went up to meet them a few days after they started. Then the next day they’d cleared it all. I’ve put them in touch with Albyn to form a proper residents' group and am securing them funding from various sources to supply all the things they want to put on the site.
"I’m so excited when I see this kind of community spirit from the ground up as it fills me with hope for our community. I will continue to work with them and help any way I can."
The reaction locally to date has also been positive.
Kitty Burns said: "Well done everyone. Good to see it coming back to life. Back in the day it was a lovely wee park."
Donna Scobbie wrote on the group's Facebook page: "Got home from work and was amazed at what you had done – well done all of you."
Marie Clarke said: "Wow, what a difference. Lovely to see the difference. Well done all involved.
Lauryn Swanson said: "Wow this is insane guys. Massive well done when I went to work this afternoon and came back to see this I couldn’t believe the transformation it’s amazing."
Anyone who would like to help, from individuals willing to work on clearance to small companies offering donations or equipment, can contact the group via its Facebook page The Seedlings Community Garden.
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